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Cardoen Piraña I 6x6 - Oerlikon 25 mm KBA-B02
History:
In 1980 Chile obtained the contract for the licensed production of the Mowag Piranha I being one of the few countries to build these vehicles, production began in 1983 by the Chilean company Industrias Cardoen which was in charge of the construction of the Piraña I in its 6x6 version building hundreds of these vehicles and equipping them with different turrets and armaments. In this suggestion, we will look at the version featuring the GBD-AOA turret manufactured under license by the German company Keller und Knappich Augsburg (KUKA), armed with the 25 mm Oerlikon KBA-B02 cannon.
The Cardoen Piraña I 6x6, built in Chile, follows the original model of the Swiss Mowag, also retaining its amphibious capacity, so it keeps the propellers for the water at the rear of the vehicle. The driver is located in the front left of the vehicle right next to the engine and the crew behind the driver in the middle of the vehicle. The vehicle has 8mm armor, which protects it from 7.62mm machine gun fire and explosive shrapnel, making it vulnerable to larger-caliber fire. The biggest advantage of this vehicle is its great mobility and speed.
During the 1980s, Industrias Cardoen tested various weapons on the Piraña I 6x6, promoting different versions to potentially be sold to the Chilean army or abroad. One of these versions carried the Oerlikon GBD-AOA turret armed with the 25 mm Oerlikon KBA-B02 cannon, which gave it the capability to engage other light vehicles, infantry, and attack helicopters.
The Swiss-made Oerlikon GBD-AOA turret (although the Chilean version was manufactured in Germany by KUKA) was designed for installation on reconnaissance and troop transport vehicles, such as the Chilean Cardoen Piraña 6x6. Operated by a single person, the gunner, the turret carries 120 rounds of HE (high-explosive) ammunition and 80 APDS-T (armor-piercing discarding sabot-tracer) rounds ready for use, although more ammunition can be stowed inside the vehicle, given its spaciousness. The cannon is stabilized on two axes. It features 360° traverse, an elevation range of +52° to -12°, and is equipped with a day sight offering 2x and 6x magnification, as well as a 4x night sight. The turret is constructed of aluminum and protects the gunner against small-caliber fire and explosive shrapnel. Since the turret, including the gun and ammunition, weighs only 1055 kg in total, the vehicle retains its amphibious capability, reaching a maximum speed in water of 10.5 km/h. The Oerlikon product catalog specifies that the gun model installed in the turret is the Oerlikon KBA-B02, which, in addition to using APDS ammunition, can also fire the more powerful APFSDS rounds.
Regarding armament, the turret mounts the 25mm Oerlikon KBA-B02 automatic cannon; its primary role is engaging lightly armored vehicles or enemy infantry by providing fire support. However, thanks to its high rate of fire, combined with a wide range of gun elevation and depression, it is a versatile weapon capable of engaging low-flying aircraft and helicopters. It features a rate of fire of 600 rpm and a muzzle velocity of 1,360 m/s; the APDS-T ammunition can penetrate up to 25 mm of armor at a 60° angle from 1,000 meters away, or up to 80 mm at a 0° angle at close range, although the gun can also use APFSDS ammunition with a penetration of up to 92 mm at a 0° angle at short ranges allowing it to easily penetrate any other light vehicle.
This was one of the few variants that was genuinely well-received by the Chilean Army and saw actual operational use; although the total number of Cardoen Piraña 6x6 vehicles equipped with the turret and the 25 mm cannon is unknown, the variant is still seen in service today, It has mainly been seen during during institutional parades, at exhibitions, and even during protests, though, naturally, without being used against civilians. This particular variant is also equipped with eight smoke dischargers for self-defense on the front of the vehicle, dnd at some exhibitions, they have been seen carrying laser receivers, possibly for shooting practice, although this is just a theory.
In-game, it would be an excellent choice as either a light combat vehicle or an anti-aircraft platform. Its BR would be around 9.0, making it comparable in capability to the Japanese Type 87 RCV (also BR 9.0, Rank VI), which is another wheeled armored vehicle mounting the same gun. However, the key difference is that the Chilean vehicle features two-plane gun stabilization, superior gun depression and elevation, and a faster turret traverse speed. Furthermore, since it lacks a full turret, the gunner is protected inside the hull; this allows the vehicle to expose only the gun itself and utilize its excellent depression to ambush enemies while remaining under cover, for instance, behind a ridge.
Specifications:
- Crew:
- 3 (Commander, Gunner, Driver)
- Armament:
- Primary: GBD-AOA turret with two-plane stabilized 25 mm Oerlikon KBA-B02 cannon
- Dimensions:
- Length: 5.97 m
- Width: 2.5 m
- Height: 1.85 m (without turret)
- Weight: 10.5 t (vehicle) + 1055 kg (turret and gun)
- Maneuverability :
- Engine: Detroit diesel 6V-53T, 300 hp at 2800 rpm
- Max. speed on roads: 100 km/h
- Speed in water: 10.5 km/h
- Transmission: Allison MT-653 automatic with 5 forward and 1 reverse gears
- Turning circle: 11.3 m
- Gradient: 70%
- Side slope: 30%
- Vertical obstacle: 0.5 m
Photos:
Sources:
- Piraña 6x6, la navaja suiza de Chile
- Chile, Industrias Cardoen, Uso Militar y Civil | PDF
- Jane’s Armour and Artillery 1981-1982
- Jane’s Armour and Artillery 1987-1988
- Oerlikon Military Products for Ground, Sea, Air Catalog
- Catalogo Della Produzione Militare Industriale Italiana 1974-1975
- Type 87 RCV | War Thunder Wiki